Adjustable portal plate

ABSTRACT

A portal box assembly for mounting a wheel to an off road vehicle in a lifted and extended wheelbase position. The assembly includes a portal gear box having an input shaft opening for an input shaft, and an output shaft extending from an output shaft opening. The portal gear box also includes a set of gears effective to transmit power from the input shaft to the output shaft, and optionally to reduce the gear ratio. The assembly is mountable to the vehicle in an extended wheelbase position in which the output shaft is positioned below and forward of the input shaft when the assembly is used to mount a forward wheel, and in which the output shaft is positioned below and rearward of the input shaft when the assembly is used to mount a rear wheel.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U. S. Patent Application No.17,805,745, filed Jun. 7, 2022, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,458,755 whichclaims priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/717,210, filedDec. 19, 2019, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 62/781,829, filed Dec. 19, 2018. The entire contents of all priorapplications, and of related U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/348,913, are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to portal wheel ends for liftingthe wheels of an off road vehicle, and more particularly to a portalgear hub end that provides wheel base extension in addition to lift.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Portal gear boxes are known to ATV and UTV enthusiasts for providingincreased ground clearance, or lift, and the low gearing needed forbigger tires. U.S. Pat. No. 8,985,264 to Shirley is one example of sucha device.

The portal gear boxes of Shirley, and of the other portal box mountingsystems known to the art, have the input shaft positioned directly abovethe output shaft. This provides the greatest degree of lift, whileminimizing the torque on the mounting assembly.

Applicant has determined that alternative mounting options may providebenefits not provided by prior art assemblies. A need therefore existsfor a mounting assembly for a portal box in which the wheel may bemounted in an alternative position. The present invention addresses thatneed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly describing one aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a portal box assembly for mounting a wheel to an off roadvehicle such as an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or a utility task vehicle(UTV) in an extended position. The assembly includes a mounting platemountable to the suspension of an off road vehicle, and a portal boxmountable to the mounting plate. The portal box includes an input shaftopening for an input shaft, which is preferably the vehicle axle, and anoutput opening for an output shaft, which preferably drives the wheelhub. The portal box is mountable to the mounting plate in an extendedposition in which the output opening is positioned to extend thewheelbase relative to the input shaft opening.

In another aspect of the present invention there is provided a portalbox assembly for mounting a wheel to an off road vehicle in a standard,lifted position, or in an extended, lifted position. The assemblycomprises a mounting plate and a portal box, with the mounting platebeing mountable to the suspension of an off road vehicle, and the portalbox being mountable to the mounting plate. The portal box includes aninput shaft opening for an input shaft, and an output opening for anoutput shaft, and is mountable to the mounting plate in either of twopositions. In the first position the output opening is positioned belowand forward of said input shaft opening when the assembly is adapted formounting a forward wheel, and the output opening is positioned below andrearward of said input shaft opening when the assembly is adapted formounting a rearward wheel. In the second position the output opening ispositioned below and not forward of said input shaft opening when theassembly is adapted for mounting a forward wheel, and the output openingis positioned below and not rearward of said input shaft opening whenthe assembly is adapted for mounting a rearward wheel.

In another aspect of the present invention there is provided an assemblyfor mounting a wheel to an off road vehicle only in a lifted andextended wheelbase position. That assembly may comprise a portal gearbox having an input shaft opening for an input shaft, and an outputshaft extending from an output shaft opening. The assembly is mountableto the vehicle in an extended wheelbase position in which the outputshaft is positioned below and forward of the input shaft when theassembly is adapted for mounting a forward wheel, and in which theoutput shaft is positioned below and rearward of the input shaft whenthe assembly is adapted for mounting a rearward wheel.

In another aspect of the present invention there is provided a portalbox assembly for mounting a wheel to an off road vehicle in a lifted andextended wheelbase position. That assembly preferably comprises: aportal gear box having an input shaft opening and an output shaftopening; an input shaft extending into the input shaft opening; and anoutput shaft extending from the output shaft opening; a set of gearseffective to transmit power from the input shaft to the output shaft,and optionally to reduce the gear ratio; wherein the portal box ismountable to the vehicle only in an extended wheelbase position in whichthe output shaft is positioned below and forward of the input shaft whenthe assembly is adapted for mounting a forward wheel, and in which theoutput is positioned below and rearward of the input shaft when theassembly is adapted for mounting a rearward wheel.

In another aspect of the present invention there is provided an assemblyfor mounting a forward wheel to an off road vehicle such as anall-terrain vehicle (ATV) of a utility task vehicle (UTV) in an extendedposition, the assembly comprising:

a) a portal gear box having an input shaft opening and an output shaftopening;

b) an input shaft extending into the input shaft opening;

c) an output shaft extending from the output shaft opening;

d) a set of gears effective to transmit power from the input shaft tothe output shaft, and optionally to reduce the gear ratio;

wherein the portal box is mountable to the vehicle only in an extendedwheelbase position in which the output shaft is positioned below andforward of the input shaft when the assembly is used to mount forwardwheel.

The set of gears may comprise a first gear mounted directly orindirectly to the input shaft, and a second gear mounted directly orindirectly to the output shaft. The set of gears may also comprise anidler gear to transmit power from the first gear to the second gear.

In another aspect of the present invention there is provided an assemblyfor mounting a rear wheel to an off road vehicle such as an all-terrainvehicle (ATV) of a utility task vehicle (UTV) in an extended position,the assembly comprising:

a) a portal gear box having an input shaft opening and an output shaftopening;

b) an input shaft extending into the input shaft opening;

c) an output shaft extending from the output shaft opening;

d) a set of gears effective to transmit power from the input shaft tothe output shaft, and optionally to reduce the gear ratio;

wherein the portal box is mountable to the vehicle only in an extendedwheelbase position in which the output shaft is positioned below andrearward of the input shaft when the assembly is used to mount a rearwheel.

The set of gears may comprise a first gear mounted directly orindirectly to the input shaft, and a second gear mounted directly orindirectly to the output shaft. The set of gears may also comprise anidler gear to transmit power from the first gear to the second gear.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a portal box assembly according toone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the portal box assembly of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the portal box assembly of FIG. 1with the front portal box cover removed.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the portal box assembly of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the portal box assembly of FIG. 1, showing the box attached to the mounting plate in a position in whichthe output opening is positioned below and vertically aligned with theinput shaft opening.

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the portal box assembly of FIG. 1, showing the box attached to the mounting plate in a position in whichthe output opening is positioned forward of the input shaft opening.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the portal box assembly of FIG. 1 ,showing the box attached to the mounting plate in a position in whichthe output shaft is vertically aligned with the input shaft.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the portal box assembly of FIG. 1 ,showing the box attached to the mounting plate in a position in whichthe output shaft is forward of the input shaft.

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the portal box portion of theportal box assembly of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the portal box portion of theportal box assembly of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of the mounting plate portion of theportal box assembly of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of the mounting plate portion of theportal box assembly of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 13 is a rear elevational perspective view of the mounting plateportion of the portal box assembly of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 14 is a front elevational view of the mounting plate portion of theportal box assembly of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 15 is a rear perspective view of the portal box assembly of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of theinvention, reference will now be made to certain embodiments andspecific language will be used to describe the same. It willnevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of theinvention is thereby intended, such alterations and furthermodifications in the described device, and such further applications ofthe principles of the invention as illustrated therein, beingcontemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to whichthe invention relates.

As indicated above, one aspect of the present invention relates to anadjustable portal box assembly for selectively mounting a wheel to anoff road vehicle in either of two positions. The inventive assemblycomprises a mounting plate and a portal box. The mounting plate ismountable to the suspension of an off road vehicle, and the portal boxis mounted to the mounting plate. As is known to the art, the portal boxincludes an input shaft opening for an input shaft, and an outputopening for an output shaft. The portal box is mountable to the mountingplate in either of two positions, namely: 1) a position in which theoutput opening is positioned below and vertical alignment with the inputshaft opening; and 2) a position in which the output opening ispositioned below and forward of the input shaft opening when theassembly is adapted for mounting a forward wheel, or below and rearwardof the input shaft opening when the assembly is adapted for mounting arearward wheel, in both cases extending the wheelbase of the vehiclecompared to the wheelbase when the output opening is in verticalalignment with the input shaft opening.

Each mounting plate is mountable to either a front wheel or a rearwheel, or optionally either. Similarly, each mounting plate is mountableto either a left wheel or a right wheel, or optionally either.Accordingly, each mounting plate may be a front left plate, or a frontright plate, or a rear left plate, or a rear right plate, or a frontplate that is usable on either the left or the right, or a rear platethat is usable on either the left or the right, or a left plate that isusable on either the front or the rear, or a right plate that is usableon either the front or the rear, or a universal plate that is usable onany wheel. Potentially other combinations are also available dependingon the specifics of how the plate is to be mounted to the vehicle.

The mounting plate portion of the inventive portal box assembly includesan opening for receiving an input shaft. The input shaft is generallycentered in the input shaft opening.

The portal box portion of the inventive portal box assembly includes anopening for extending an output shaft. The output shaft is generallycentered in the output shaft opening.

In some embodiments of the present invention the mounting plate isadapted such that the portal box is mountable to the mounting plate in aposition in which the output shaft is positioned below and forward ofthe input shaft when the assembly is adapted for mounting a front wheel,or below and rearward of the input shaft when the assembly is adaptedfor mounting a rear wheel. This “extended wheelbase” position extendsthe wheelbase of the vehicle compared to the wheelbase when the outputshaft is in vertical alignment with the input shaft.

In some embodiments, the mounting plate is adapted such that the portalbox is mountable to the mounting plate in either a “vertically aligned”or an “extended wheelbase” position. In the “vertically aligned”position the output shaft is positioned directly above the input shaft,and is not forward or rearward of the input shaft. The wheelbase of thevehicle is thus substantially the same as the wheelbase when the portalbox is not installed. In the “extended wheelbase” position the outputshaft is positioned below and forward of the input shaft when theassembly is adapted for mounting a front wheel, or below and rearward ofthe input shaft when the assembly is adapted for mounting a rear wheel.In both cases this extends the wheelbase of the vehicle compared to thewheelbase when the output shaft is in vertical alignment with the inputshaft.

In some embodiments, the mounting plate is adapted such that the portalbox is mountable to the mounting plate only in an “extended wheelbase”position in which the output shaft is positioned below and forward ofthe input shaft when the assembly is adapted for mounting a front wheel,or below and rearward of the input shaft when the assembly is adaptedfor mounting a rear wheel.

The mounting plate may include at least one set of holes for mountingthe portal box to the mounting plate in its first position, and at leastone set of holes for mounting the portal box to the mounting plate inits second position. In some embodiments the two sets of holes are thesame, so that the portal box may be mounted to the mounting plate ineither the “vertically aligned” or “extended wheelbase” second position.In other embodiments the portal box includes a first set of holes formounting the portal box to the mounting plate in its “verticallyaligned” position, and a second and different set of holes for mountingthe portal box to the mounting plate in its “extended wheelbase”position.

The mounting plate includes hardware (e.g., mounting brackets) adaptedto mount the assembly to the suspension of the off road vehicle, and forconnecting components such as steering arms and the like. The mountinghardware may be separable from, or incorporated into, the mountingplate.

The portal box portion of the inventive assembly preferably includes arear wall, side walls, and a front wall (cover), at least one of whichis preferably removable to allow access to the inside of the box.

Holes for mounting the portal box to the mounting plate in either itsfirst position or its second position are preferably included in therear cover of the portal box, and the front cover may also include holesfor mounting the portal box to the mounting plate in either its firstposition or its second position.

The portal box preferably includes gears for directly or indirectlytransferring power from the input shaft to the output shaft. The gearsalso reduce the speed of rotation of the output shaft relative to thespeed of rotation of the input shaft, thus providing the amount of gearreduction necessary to run larger tires. The gears typically include afirst gear mounted directly or indirectly to the input shaft, and asecond gear mounted directly or indirectly to the output shaft.

In another embodiment the adjustable portal box assembly is effectivefor mounting a wheel to an off road vehicle in a lifted and extendedwheelbase position. That assembly may also include a mounting plate anda portal box, with the mounting plate being mountable to the suspensionof an off road vehicle, and the portal box being mountable to saidmounting plate. The portal box is mountable to the mounting plate in anextended wheelbase position in which the output opening is positionedbelow and forward of said input shaft opening when the assembly isadapted for mounting a forward wheel, and in which the output opening ispositioned below and rearward of said input shaft opening when theassembly is adapted for mounting a rearward wheel. However, in thisembodiment the portal box is not mountable to the mounting plate in aposition in which the output opening is vertically aligned with theinput shaft opening.

In one preferred aspect of the present invention there is provided aportal box assembly for mounting a wheel to an off road vehicle such asan all-terrain vehicle (ATV) of a utility task vehicle (UTV) only in anextended position. The assembly includes a mounting plate mountable tothe suspension of an off road vehicle, and a portal box mountable to themounting plate. The portal box includes an input shaft opening for aninput shaft, which is preferably the vehicle axle, and an output openingfor an output shaft, which preferably drives the wheel hub. The portalbox is mountable to the mounting plate in an extended position in whichthe output opening is positioned to extend the wheelbase relative to theinput shaft opening.

In another aspect of the present invention there is provided a portalbox assembly for mounting a wheel to an off road vehicle in a standard,lifted position, or in an extended, lifted position. The assemblycomprises a mounting plate and a portal box, with the mounting platebeing mountable to the suspension of an off road vehicle, and the portalbox being mountable to the mounting plate. The portal box includes aninput shaft opening for an input shaft, and an output opening for anoutput shaft, and is mountable to the mounting plate in either of twopositions. In the first position the output opening is positioned belowand forward of said input shaft opening when the assembly is adapted formounting a forward wheel, and the output opening is positioned below andrearward of said input shaft opening when the assembly is adapted formounting a rearward wheel. In the second position the output opening ispositioned below and not forward of said input shaft opening when theassembly is adapted for mounting a forward wheel, and the output openingis positioned below and not rearward of said input shaft opening whenthe assembly is adapted for mounting a rearward wheel.

In another aspect of the present invention there is provided a portalbox assembly for mounting a wheel to an off road vehicle in a lifted andextended wheelbase position. The assembly comprises a portal box havingan input shaft opening for an input shaft, and an output shaft extendingfrom an output shaft opening. The portal box is mountable to the vehiclein an extended wheelbase position in which the output shaft ispositioned below and forward of the input shaft when the assembly isadapted for mounting a forward wheel, and in which the output shaft ispositioned below and rearward of the input shaft when the assembly isadapted for mounting a rearward wheel.

In another aspect of the present invention there is provided a portalbox assembly for mounting a wheel to an off road vehicle in a lifted andextended wheelbase position. That assembly preferably comprises: aportal gear box having an input shaft opening and an output shaftopening; an input shaft extending into the input shaft opening; and anoutput shaft extending from the output shaft opening; a set of gearseffective to transmit power from the input shaft to the output shaft,and optionally to reduce the gear ratio; wherein the portal box ismountable to the vehicle only in an extended wheelbase position in whichthe output shaft is positioned below and forward of the input shaft whenthe assembly is adapted for mounting a forward wheel, and in which theoutput is positioned below and rearward of the input shaft when theassembly is adapted for mounting a rearward wheel.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of aportal box assembly according to one embodiment of the presentinvention. Assembly 100 includes a mounting plate 101 and a portal box102. Portal box 102 includes portal box side wall 126 and portal boxcover 124. Output shaft 104 extends from portal box 102.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of portions of the portal box assemblyof FIG. 1 . Portal box 120 includes portal box side wall 126, and outputshaft 104 extends from the box. Input shaft gear 105 is connected toinput shaft 103, and output shaft gear 106 is connected to output shaft104. Linking gear 107 connects input shaft gear 105 to output shaft gear106.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the portal box assembly of FIG. 1 .Mounting plate 101 includes input shaft opening 108, and input shaft 103extends through input shaft opening 108. Portal box 102 includes rearwall 125, side wall 126, and front cover 124. Output shaft opening 109is provided in front cover 124 of portal box 102, and output shaft 104extends through output shaft opening 109. Rear plate 110 facilitatesmounting box 102 to a vehicle.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the portal box assembly of FIG. 1with the front portal box cover removed. Input shaft gear 105, linkinggear 107, and output shaft gear 106 are visible when the cover isremoved.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the portal box assembly of FIG. 1, showing the box attached to the mounting plate in a position in whichoutput opening 109 is positioned below and vertically aligned with theinput shaft opening 108. While not shown in the drawing, input shaft 103extends backward from, and perpendicular to, the plane of the page.Similarly, output shaft 104 extends forward from, and perpendicular to,the plane of the page. Line L passes through the center of input shaft103 (and presumably through the center of input shaft opening 108) andthe center of output shaft 104 (and presumably through the center ofoutput shaft opening 109) when viewed from this perspective. Portal box102 is mounted to mounting plate 101 such that output shaft 104 (andpresumably output shaft opening 109) is vertically aligned with inputshaft 103 (and presumably input shaft opening 108). When output shaft104 is vertically aligned with input shaft 103, line L is substantiallyperpendicular to any line passing through the plane of the “ground” whenthe assembly is properly mounted to a vehicle resting on a flat,horizontal, planar surface. In FIG. 5 , one such line is illustrated byline G, with the angle α₁ between line L and line G being substantially90°.

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the portal box assembly of FIG. 1, showing the box attached to the mounting plate in a position in whichthe output opening is positioned forward of the input shaft opening. InFIG. 6 , portal box 102 is attached to mounting plate 101 in a positionin which output opening 109 is positioned below and forward of inputshaft opening 108 when the assembly is mounted to a front wheel. Heretoo, while not shown in the drawing, input shaft 103 extends backwardfrom, and perpendicular to, the plane of the page, output shaft 104extends forward from, and perpendicular to, the plane of the page, andline L passes through the center of input shaft 103 (and presumablythrough the center of input shaft opening 108) and the center of outputshaft 104 (and presumably through the center of output shaft opening109). In this case though, portal box 102 is mounted to mounting plate101 such that output shaft 104 (and presumably output shaft opening 109)is not vertically aligned with input shaft 103 (and presumably inputshaft opening 108). Instead, output shaft 104 is forward of input shaft103, and line L is not substantially perpendicular to the plane of the“ground” when the assembly is properly mounted to a vehicle resting on aflat, horizontal, planar surface. In the illustrated embodiment, line Lis approximately 15° from perpendicular with respect to line G.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the portal box assembly of FIG. 1 ,showing the box attached to the mounting plate in a position in whichthe output shaft is vertically aligned with the input shaft. At leastone mounting hole for mounting the box to the mounting plate is visibleto the left of the box because the box is positioned farther to theright than it is when the output shaft is forward of the input shaft.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the portal box assembly of FIG. 1 ,showing the box attached to the mounting plate in a position in whichthe output shaft is forward of the input shaft. At least one mountinghole for mounting the box to the mounting plate is visible to the rightof the box because the box is positioned farther to the left than it iswhen the input shaft and the output shaft are vertically aligned.

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the portal box portion of theportal box assembly of FIG. 1 . An input shaft enters portal box 102from the rear, and output shaft 104 extends from the front of portal box102. Holes 131, 132, 133, and 134 for mounting the cover to the body ofthe portal box, and for mounting the portal box to the mounting plate,are visible in the front cover of the box.

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the portal box portion of theportal box assembly of FIG. 1 . Here too, input shaft 103 enters portalbox 102 from the rear, and output shaft 104 extends from the front ofportal box 102. Holes 131, 132, 133, and 134 for mounting the cover tothe body of the portal box, and for mounting the portal box to themounting plate, are visible in the rear wall of the box. Opening 117 toreceive an input shaft is provided.

FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of the mounting plate portion of theportal box assembly of FIG. 1 . Holes 141, 142, 143 a, and 143 b formounting the portal box to the mounting plate are visible in the plate.Mounting hardware 115, 148, and 149 for mounting the assembly to avehicle is also visible.

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of the mounting plate portion of theportal box assembly of FIG. 1 , with input shaft 103 extending throughthe mounting plate. Holes 141, 142, 143 a, 143 b, 144 a, and 144 b formounting the portal box to the mounting plate are visible in the plate.Mounting hardware for mounting the assembly to a vehicle is alsovisible.

FIG. 13 is a rear elevational perspective view of the mounting plateportion of the portal box assembly of FIG. 1 . Holes 136, 141, 142, 143a, 143 b, 144 a, and 144 b for mounting the cover to the body of theportal box, and/or for mounting the portal box to the mounting plate,are indicated. Input shaft opening 137 is also shown.

FIG. 14 is a front elevational view of the mounting plate portion of theportal box assembly of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 15 is a rear perspective view of the portal box assembly of FIG. 1. Portal box side wall 126 and portal box cover 124 are indicated, andmounting bracket 145 extends from the top of plate 140.

It is to be appreciated that the inventive assembly is effective forproviding increased ground clearance, or lift, increased width,increased wheelbase length, and the low gearing needed for bigger tires.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in theforegoing description and drawings, the same are to be considered asillustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood thatonly certain preferred embodiments have been shown and described, andthat all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of theinvention are desired to be protected.

Additionally, it is to be appreciated that the present invention maycomprise or consist essentially of any or all of the describedingredients in their disclosed amounts, and that any or all of theingredients, amounts, features, elements, and/or embodiments disclosedherein may be combined with any or all of the other ingredients,amounts, features, elements, and/or embodiments disclosed herein toprovide an invention that comprises or consists essentially of suchingredients, amounts, features, elements, and/or embodiments.

The grammatical device “and/or” (such as in “A and/or B”) is used inthis disclosure to mean A alone, or B alone, or both A and B.Additionally, the term “substantially perpendicular” means within 5° ofperpendicular, and the term “substantially forward” (or rearward) ofperpendicular means at least 10° forward (or rearward) of perpendicular.

1. A portal box assembly comprising a portal box housing having an inputshaft opening and an output shaft opening; wherein the portal box ismountable to the vehicle in a first position in which the output shaftopening is positioned below and forward of the axle when the assembly isused to mount a forward wheel, and in which the output shaft opening ispositioned below and rearward of the input shaft opening when theassembly is mounted to a rearward wheel.
 2. The portal box assembly ofclaim 1 wherein the portal box is additionally mountable to the vehiclein a second position in which the output shaft opening is positionedbelow and in vertical alignment with the input shaft opening when theassembly is mounted to either a forward wheel or a rearward wheel. 3.The portal box assembly of claim 1 wherein the portal box includes gearsfor directly or indirectly transferring power from an axle positioned inthe input shaft opening to the output shaft, and wherein said gearsreduce the speed of rotation of the output shaft relative to the speedof rotation of the axle.
 4. The portal box assembly of claim 2 whereinthe portal box includes gears for directly or indirectly transferringpower from an axle positioned in the input shaft opening to the outputshaft, and wherein said gears reduce the speed of rotation of the outputshaft relative to the speed of rotation of the axle.
 5. The assembly ofclaim 3 wherein the gears include an input shaft gear mounted directlyor indirectly to the axle, an output shaft gear mounted directly orindirectly to the output shaft, and a linking gear linking the inputshaft gear to the output shaft gear.
 6. The assembly of claim 4 whereinthe gears include an input shaft gear mounted directly or indirectly tothe axle, an output shaft gear mounted directly or indirectly to theoutput shaft, and a linking gear linking the input shaft gear to theoutput shaft gear.